Special Equestrians Visit

At our September 22nd meeting, the Horsham Lions Club was honored to have guest speaker Laura Soldano, Executive Director of the Special Equestrians organization.

Special Equestrians, a non-profit organization located in Warminster, provides specialized therapeutic riding and driving programs for individuals suffering from mental retardation, Down Syndrome, blindness, hearing impairment, learning disability, spinal cord injuries, and numerous other problems.

The organization uses horses as tools to achieve cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and behavioral goals. The ability to control a horse as well as one’s body inspires self confidence, responsibility, and teamwork. Horseback riding for people with disabilities is recognized as one of the most progressive forms of therapy. This thoroughly enjoyable experience creates a special relationship between rider, horse, and therapists.

The facility also permits juvenile offenders to work off their community service requirements by helping tend the horses and grounds.

Recent additions to the facility include a program aimed at helping inner-city “youth at risk” to come to participate in caring for the horses. Children from violent backgrounds learn respect for the animals and responsibility for their actions.

The Horsham Lions offered a donation of $1000, and our ongoing open-ended hand of support to the Special Equestrians, vowing to assist the organization in the future as their needs dictate and our abilities permit. Special Equestrians in turn offered use of their facilities for possible future Lions club meetings.

For more info, or to learn about volunteering or donating, contact the facility at (215) 918-1001 or visit: www.SpecialEquestrians.org